Kicking The Bones

The coverlet is soaking in the bowl with the soup plates.

An oystercatcher feather and a few strings of potato cling to the sides.

The Eau Ecarlate is disinfecting everything.

We don't have to watch it, says Terence. Let's go down to the beach and see if he's disappeared yet.

Yes, let's, says Rusty. Or if he's just bones.

They leave the bowl in the garden, and head for the steps.

From the top of the steps they can see Gaius, stooping.

Maybe he's found a lizzia, says Terence.

Elysia, says Rusty.

That's what I said, says Terence. 

It sounded different, says Rusty. 

Don't get too smart, says Terence. Cherubs are smarter than parrots but not smarter than me.

We should have a competition, says Rusty.

That proves it, says Terence. Why would I want a competition?

They are now at the bottom of the steps, and not far from Gaius.

Gaius is talking to one of the oystercatcher mourners, near to some bones.

Yes, I know him, says Gaius. 

Tell me about him, says the oystercatcher. What does he do now?

He's a free lancer, says Gaius. He joined us on Kangaroo Island when we were looking for endangered dunnarts. And he found one. I may have a photo.

Gaius produces his phone. Scrolls back through the months.

Yes, here is Saint Roley, with a dunnart. A female. 

He looks......ineffable, says the oystercatcher.

I think you're reading too much into his blank expression, says Gaius. 

Did he save the dunnart? asks the oystercatcher.

I believe not, says Gaius. That is not to say that she isn't alive at this moment. But Saint Roley did mention a snake. A copperhead. 

Oh, says the oystercatcher. And where is Saint Roley now?

Could be anywhere, says Gaius. He had no reason to stay on Kangaroo Island after his and Porntip's only egg was destroyed.

Hello! says Terence. 

Ah, says Gaius. Here is Terence again. He can tell you more about Saint Roley.

He was my parrot, says Terence. Then he wasn't. Then he came back and he was. But now he isn't.

That doesn't sound normal, says the oystercatcher.

Does LIZZIA sound normal? asks Terence. 

Have you seen one? asks Gaius.

No, says Terence. And I wasn't asking you.

Yes, says the oystercatcher. It's the name of a genus of sea slugs.

Elysia, says Gaius. You are quite right. A member of the plakobranchidae family.

Similar to the nudibranch, says the oystercatcher. But unrelated.

Bravo, says Gaius. Have you seen one?

I may have, says the oystercatcher. Come with me.

Gaius and the oystercatcher move up the beach a short distance.

Terence looks at Rusty, in triumph.

But Rusty has forgotten the lizzia and is kicking the bones.